May You Forever Live in Interesting Times

wherein we become kids...again...sigh

A lot has happened since the Scions destroyed Ryo no Oni and built a temple over the spot. For starters, they all got married (or in Soshi Mika’s case, got divorced and re-married) and they all had kids. Some of them didn’t figure out what caused that fast enough, and so they had several kids.

So their kids all went riding off to the Topaz Tournament, which is really far away (several days’ ride at least). They all proved themselves worthy of their parents’ legends, managed to put down a little ronin uprising, and on the way home even managed to save a kidnapped priest from some would-be blood mages. Here is the breakdown from that tournament:

DAY #1
Sumo: Matsu, Iuchi, and Natsu each took a point
Heraldry: Iuchi took a point
Athletics: Koji, Matsu, Iuchi, and Natsu each took a point
Horsemanship: Koji, Iuchi, and Matsu each took a point
Etiquette: Koji, Matsu, Iuchi, and Natsu each took a point

DAY #2
Courtier: Koji, Matsu, Iuchi, and Natsu each took a point
Weapons: Matsu and Koji each took a point
Poetry: None of our heroes took a point
Go: Matsu, Koji, and Iuchi each took a point
Hunting: Natsu, Matsu, Koji, and Iuchi each took a point
Dueling: Matsu, Koji, and Iuchi each took a point

TOPAZCHAMPION: Soshi Kojiko

On their way home from the tournament, they passed by the general of the blackened lion (I think…Brad may have to correct the who on this one), who was kindly towards them and fed them lunch from his own stores.

They also passed through a village whose Priest of Rice had been kidnapped. They agreed to help the village find their missing priest. Matsu’s jaguar was kind enough to assist Natsu in tracking down the assailants to a small compound outside the village. The heroes entered the compound and were confronted with the sight of 5 peasants surrounding the missing priest, who was tied up. One of the peasants was chanting and cutting himself, a sure sign that blood magic was in the works. The jaguar killed the leader (the one cutting himself), and the other three were subdued for questioning. Through questioning it was learned that the leader of the peasants had been speaking to a man in a room off to the side. The heroes opened the door to the room, but it was pitch black and empty. No windows, no doors, no hidden passages for someone to have escaped through. This bodes ill!! The four remaining peasants and the now-freed priest were brought back to the village, where the would-be blood mages were publicly executed.

They finally arrived in the City of Lies, and while attempting to seek passage on a barge for the remainder of their journey they were met by a Mantis Drunken Master who had been friendly with them during the tournament. He offered them discounted passage on his “friend’s” barge (turned out to be his barge). The heroes learned while on his barge that he wasn’t nearly as drunk as he pretended to be, and that he believed that being able to roll with the boat (as if one were drunk) assists when fighting river pirates.

Once the heroes were home safe and sound, Damiyo Soshi Mika cleared her courtroom and informed them that….DUNDUNDUUUUUUUUUUUUN! A monk had been kidnapped while they were gone.

Day 1

Having arrived at Lonely Shore City, governed by Doji Kajiro (I think) the Scions of the Shrine made their way directly there. The last bit of surprise came a mile from the gate as Togashi
Wei-yin, a tattooed monk of the Tagashi order, joined the group. The mysterious man was simply dressed and carried only the tools he needed to lend aid.

Kento, Tetsuyari, and Takezo were asked to secure a place to rent for a month. They made their way to a decent area of town near the center and procured a place.
Khabob, Osano-Wo, and Hakuri were asked to wander the Willow District and get a feel for the land. The rest went to meet the governor.

At the gate there was a bit of a ruckus that was quickly put to an end by the city’s magistrate. A samurai of a vassal family and all around tired man. Finally led into the room of Doji-sama, Asahina Jun made introductions and confirmed that the individuals were aware of their issues.

When he did not hear the proper information he wanted, he questioned Miyako as to it. She requested that the group wait outside as she and Soshi Mika spoke to the Governor.
The information about the possibilites of Maho in the city were not lost or forgotten, mearly hidden by Miyako during the trip. The future wedding between the Crane clan and the Imperial family that was set to happen soon, was also in jepordy; so Doji-sama was quite tired and agitated. Asahina Jun and his cousin Matsu Jun spoke to the man in private.

Meanwhile Utaku Khabob was making friends in the willow district. He, Tokaguri Haruki, and Moshi Osano-Wo had found what appeared to be the center of buisness amongst the ronin in the district, with many men dropping by with payments to the barkeep.

They procured services and rested for abit. When they felt they had observed enough, they returned to the rest of the samurai who were setting up living arangements that Doji-sama had provided on his personal grounds.

As a plan was being formed a scream and a terriable sound not heard before by any of them echoed through the quiet afternoon. Several of the samurai lept in reaction and rushed the courtyard. There a guard lay on the ground with his chest cavity burst open.

The gruesome scene gave the warriors pause for a moment. Then Soshi Mika and Miyako went forward and prayed over the body. Mika was able to convince the air kami in the area to show the scene that had just happened and the illusions were quite macabre. Air kami had been forced down the man’s throught and out through his lungs and chest.

Miyako’s prayers were to the fire kami in the area, she asked them to work with the air spirits and light a path back to the source of the spell. This created a glowing yellow/orange path of light through the city; right to the willow district. The fire kami incinerated the dead man so that his ashes could be lain to rest.

With a furious anger of justice and disgust, the Scions quickly followed the path lit by the kami. Peasants, craftsman, and eta all quickly shyed away from the light, not knowing what it was. It led to the door of an inn.

Several doshin (pesants that serve the magistrate) were surrounding the area with spears ready, facing off against armed ronin. As the Scions entered the scene, Asahina Jun took command of the pesants and calmed them. Giving order to their chaos, he had them form up into a tight spear weilding formation, ready to pounce against the maho users.

Several words were spoken quickly and Otomo Miyako stepped forward. Brandishing her fan (with a little help from Mika, to make sure her mon was showing) Miyako introduce herself and demanded to speak to the leader. He introduced himself as Shu.

“Surrender the Maho users that we know to be here.” she commanded.
“Little woman, there are no maho users here, begone from this area.” he replied disdainly.
“Soshi Mika and I have spoken to the kami and they have led us here. Do you think we are inclined to believe the elements that make up reality or a masterless ronin?” The Imperial child quickly fell into old speaking habits as she tried to bring the weight of her family against this man.

His will however was much stronger and he mearly turned and walked away as the woman spoke to him. Matsu Jun was infuriated, but held her anger in check. The distraction that this scene was causing allowed Hakuri to manuver himself onto the roof of a nearby building and as he readied his leap, chanting could be heard from within.

“Release us from this calm” Utaku Khabob asked with a still and low voice.

“Show them how the Empire deals with traitors.” Miyako spoke as she moved behind Mika and Osano-Wo.

Matsu Jun and Utaku Khabob quickly rushed the samurai at the door. Tetsubo and Akodo blade at the ready, the ronin quickly retreated. Asahina Jun responded with a proclimation and oath, then turned towards the men under his command. “Forward March!” He ordered the doshin forward. They moved onto the building, confused but not daring to disobey orders. When the line was half way there the order to make ready was given and every spear was raised in an attack formation.

“STRIKE!” Asahina led the strike with his naginata as the men shredded the wall of the inn. Inside the surprised ronin stood in various stages of donning armor. Without hesitation the Samurai lept into the fray.

Asahina Jun, Matsu Jun, and Utaku Khabob struck quickly and deadly. Three of the ronin fell. Haruki took this moment to leap across and through the wall. He stood in the second floor area and witnessed three men cutting their arms and allowing their blood to swirl into a vortex of dark magical powers. Maho-tsukai! He launched his spear on a chain to try and distract the men, but they were allready locked in their trance. Downstairs, the monk focused his chi and the tattoos on his arm came alive. The fire on his skin seemed to move as he struck another one of the ronin.

Outside Moshi Osano-Wo tried to convince the men to stand down, “Drop your weapons and surrender, you will be spared. We only want the maho users.” The ronin hesitated, but would not surrender. This hesitation was the opening the men needed. Not willing to allow any more discourteous behavior, Matsu Jun brought the full extend of her rage into the fray. Throwing caution to the wind she expressed her anger in the way only samurai are allowed. She roared a lion’s roar and cleaved a man in half. This only encouraged her fellows to follow her lead. Her cousin struck a man deep in the shoulder and their 3rd cousin Khabob knocked a man nine feet to the side, breaking most the ribs on one side of his chest.

The remaining ronin however were able to form up, their backs to each other and they struck out. If their attacks hurt the samurai, they did not show it. Each able to absorb the damage. Some through training, some with honor, and some just absorbed it with acceptance of the pain through the void.

Mika and Miyako heard the chanting and Miyako identified the spell as a maho spell to raise the dead. “Fire” Mika said to herself and willed the fire kami in the area into the shape of a katana. She then asked the fire kami to spread into the building itself, thus causing a torch sized fire on the roof.

Though fire was dangerous, maho is an affront to all samurai and the young shugenja had done well. She then took her katana of fire and started forward to lend aid however she could. She smiled to herself as she thought of a plan. She took her katana and struck the building, allowing the pure fire blade to cut and ignite the walls.

Upstairs Haruki motioned for the other samurai to come upstairs, “These sorcerers have some kind of protection.” Khabob cursed himself for not having any jade.

They rushed the second floor, leaving the monk and the doshin to finish with the last remaining ronin. Even Moshi Osano-Wo entered the fray.

Then the maho spell took effect, the dead men who had just fell, rose up and attacked again. Now the strikes of the samurai seemed to not bother them and the line of doshin started to break. Their training and nerve insufficient for this battle.

Upstairs the three men and lion woman surrounded the casters and with openings, they struck. Like their anscestors before them, they worked together as a the will of the heavens given flesh on Rokugan. If not for dark pacts and promises made, the casters would have lost their heads. Well one did.

Miyako feeling useless outside decided to use the one offensive spell she had learned. The kami that swirled around her begged to be released, so she carefully made her way to the door.

“Moshi-san, please attend me.” She called out as she made her way to the door. “Soshi-san, make ready to recieve the wounded.” She had hoped that the bright young woman was near as she often was. Soshi Mika had helped Miyako many times these last few days, staying at her side and describing many things to the blind shugenja. She was there again and spoke acknowledgement of the request.

“Moshi-san, run. I am about to let loose fire.” The shugenja spoke after the Mantis helped her into the building. The dead had started to move against the men who had returned down stairs to deal with them. Hakuri and Matsu Jun were upstairs dealing with the casters the best they could. When the Scorpion realized his weapons were causing minimal damage, he changed his stratagey and with the chain end of his weapon he tripped one of the casters. Matsu Jun pounced upon the filth.

“RUN, I am releasing fire!” Miyako warned. Several of the samurai had served with shugenja and knew to fall back when told to. She drew in her breath and when she released it – fire erupted everywhere and fed into the flames Mika had started. Several of the brave men were singed at the edge of the blast. Haruki had lept through the walls themselves to try and get to safety. The flames brushed his back as he landed and rolled out the way. Only Matsu Jun, lost in the way of the sword and her cousin, standing by her side were there to recieve the brunt of the firey blast. Miyako herself was burnt, but she breathed in again. She could still hear the dead moving. The Juns moved to stand between the dead men and the helpless shugenja. Even Khabob looked back, ready to spring into the inferno again. Miyako breathed out and released the fire again. She could hear the dead burning, the living burning, and the kami gleefully laughing as they ravaged the very air around them.

“We have fell them Otomo-sama” Asahina reported. Rising up once more she breathed in, the samurai drew in a deep breath and made ready for another eruption of fire, but this time Miyako called upon the Void and asked the fire kami to return to her. “Carefully and quietly, return and I will release you once more for havok, when the time is right.”
For whatever reason, the kami listend and all fire in the area withdrew and went out. The building stood, the woman did not. Matsu Jun finished the last one as the Crane helped the shugenja woman to her feet. The last spell had drove her to her knees and the cinders on her fingers and singed hair showed that the fire kami keep no one safe.

“Please take me upstairs.” she weakly asked.
Asahina Jun led her upstairs as his cousin, the Crab trained Unicorn, Mantis, and Monk returned. Soshi Mika started to inquire the water kami to lend aid in healing for the more wounded samurai.

Miyako moved nearer the fallen men, two of them were not dead. Shu had died in the battle, in fact his head had been cleaved off his shoulders and claimed by Matsu Jun as a trophy of battle.

Miyako whispered to the men, trying to get information from them with their last breaths. Whether they knew nothing or took the secrets to the grave, she did not know. She knew only that they took their words answered none of her questions and she slit their throats with her wakazashi. She took their scroll bags for further investigation.

With that the group returned to the Governor’s home and to the building he had designated as their quarters. Mika and Miyako retired for an hour to rest and attend to the wounds that Miyako had recieved. The other samurai set up the room to recieve court. Asahina Jun summoned the Magistrate, Matsu Jun cleaned her blade. Moshi Osano-Wo, Togashi Wei-yin and Utaku Khabob took positions in the room as guards in the room.

With Mika’s help once again Otomo Miyako felt strong and presentable. She had come to rely on the young Scorpion very much in a short time. She took her place in the court room they had set up for their groups meetings. The magistrate was there, sitting and waiting in a polite manner.

Miyako started the debriefing by explaing what had happened that afternoon, the path that led them to the maho users, and one by one, she called upon her comrades. Asahina gave witness and report of the doshin’s bravery against the ronin. He forgave them their fear against the undead.

Utaku Khabob gave a grizzly report about the dangers of both maho and undead. His words turning many of the samurai pale.

Moshi Osano-Wo gave report of how many ronin there were and their hesitation to surrender.

Soshi Mika reported about the kami’s involvment with the murder of the Crane guard and she collaborated the charges of maho against the ronin inside the inn.

Tokagure Haruki gave the third report of the maho tsuki, describing their methods and the magical powers he witnessed being fed by the caster’s own blood.

Matsu Jun showed the head of the offending leader, “For rudness to the Imperial family, using profane magics, and endangering the lives of everyone in this city, I took his head.”

The magistrate accepted these reports, at times in shock and other times in awe. Till the end, he stated simply, “Thank you very much Samurai. I will report this to the Governor.” He stood and bowed deeply as a sign of personal grattitude.

When he left, Miyako spoke to Osano-Wo, Khabob, and Haruki, “Return to the Willow district, rent a room and rest. I want you to relax, but observe what you can in the area.”
She stood to leave the room, “The Governor may not feel this is urgent, but any one can learn the ways of blood magic, we must scourge it from this city. Even if it means scourging the city itself from the face of Rokugan.” She turned to Wei-yin, Asahina Jun, and Matsu Jun. “Please start drawing up plans for battle or skirmishes. Think of many ways we can face these enemies and how we can apply the best amount of pressure.”

The three samurai in town would need direction soon. Miyako wanted to hold them in reserve in case their strength was needed soon. She also wanted to make sure the rented home was available and stocked with supplies in case the Doji keep was comprimised or the group had to leave.

She was not sure if her disicions were wise, nor did she know if she had extended past her rights, but the group needed a leader. With her in charge she was able to appoint individual samurai to lead when their strengths were needed.

For now, Mika and she needed to retire and rest. In the morning they would start to decipher the scrolls the maho-tsuki carried, destory any maho scrolls, and salvage any mystic learnings they could. Brave young Mika was a strength Miyako was learning to count on. The others were still a bit of a mystery, but she would not forget their bravery, their courage, nor their dedication to her and her honor.

On top of all that, they had a festival to participate in and that took planning as well.

The game starts

The many different samurai gathered at the shrine of the Eight Heroes.
There they met Otomo Miyako who was assigned to jouney to a Crane villiage and lend aid to the Doji governer there.

A group of Ronin had taken up residence in the Willow District and were causing trouble. There was other difficulties, but the letter the blind shugenja carried did not share that information.

Along the way the band of samurai started to learn of each other. The cousins Matsu Jun and Asahina Jun learned of another of their family line, distant cousin Utaku Khabob. The Ronin Kento shared a discusion of the Mirumoto style of combat with Mirumoto Tetsuyari. The young shugenja Shoshi Mika and Miyako started what seemed to be a tentative friendship. While the minor clan samurai Ujina Takezo, the Mantis samurai Moshi Osano-Wo, and the Man-at-Arms Tokagure Haruki often kept watch of the suroundings.

And it was well they did, for a day’s travel outside of the Crane city, these travelers were waylaid by Ronin Bandits. After a fierce battle, one was captured by Moshi Osano-Wo, the quiet Mantis.

This Ronin by the name of Tatami, surrendered his blades to Tetsuyari-san and awaits judgement to be placed on him by Osano-Wo-san. Untill that time, he has been expected to guard Mika-san.
He is to do so unarmed, untill which time he can be trusted.

With the bodies of the Ronin cremated, their swords saved so that they can be returned to their families or donated to a temple, the group set camp to rest and heal.

What mysteries are in the city?
What troubles face this group?
Can a band of samurai from such many different clans work together or will old grievences tear them apart?

For those of you who have forgotten, or those who were not here

At the end of the previous game there was a great confrontation, between the armies of Mirumoto Shinjii and the forces of Doji Ryu now the avatar of Fu Leng, this battle raged and ended with the death of Doji Ryu. and the defeat of his forces, Asahina Yanjinden found his heart, and the anvil of despair destroyed. After this battle the heroes went their separate ways, maintaining contact only when possible. Akodo Koji Successfully married into the imperial family, his wife watched him closely for the rest of her days, its a commonly repeated piece of rumor that he has around a dozen “Children of Indiscretion”, and was still remembered as a hero. There are legends that he still wanders the earth, traveling with the kenku who sought to teach him a lesson. Asahina Hiroshi was remembered as a great duelist and honorable samurai, the only one who dared argue this was his close friend Matsu Jiro who finally challenged him to a duel over his actions on the day of the battle, Matsu Jiro lost the duel, however in maintaining their friendship Asahina Hiroshi married the sister of Matsu Jiro, and Matsu Jiro married Asahina Hiroshi’s sister. Matsu Jiro legitimized his son born of a kitsune, and had three more children by marriage, he spent his years as damiyo improving the lives of his peasants, and supporting the crab on the wall. Shiba Raiden compiled a variety of his notes and art into a book known as The Rose of Fates, which was mainly a companion to the Tao Of Shinsei, this work was added to the library of every major clan. Hida Hiroshi Endo was cured of The Shadowlands Taint, and became a shining example of a crab warrior, married a Crane bride, and overall became legendary among the crab, and those who follow his example for every action he ever undertook. Mirumoto Shinjii Married his way into even greater glory after marrying a sister of the empress he always claimed was “The Most Beautiful” he too legitimized the son of the kitsune, and had children with his imperial bride, he opened a school of tactical combat and became known as the master of all weapons. Tamori Etsume Kimiko got her way as usual and married into the scorpion clan, she retired to a castle on the border of the scorpion lands, she is still alive today, still known for her distaste of social functions, and her skill with the art of the shugenja. Of these legend Matsu Jiro, Shiba Raiden, Hida Hiroshi Endo, and Mirumoto Shinjii all died fighting the destroyer wars, were these great legends first met, there now stands a shrine to them, this is where the second campaign will begin, with many of these samurai encountering each other for the first time a legend of Rokugan was first forged.

for those of you who have missed 90 percent of the game

The story so far is thus, several samurai,On their way to a journey to promote peace, discovered the legendary daisho set, given as a gift to the Damiyo of the castle they were sleeping at had been stolen. They set out to right this wrong and discovered the person who stole it, had shattered the sword, they discovered the blade was supposedly cursed, and that the man who had originally sent it, could not ask for it back without offending the Damiyo, the party had it repaired only to discover a Gaki-Do, or hungry spirit, was inhabiting the blade, after successfully defeating it, and receiving the Daisho as a gift, continued the journey. To promote peace at a place called pale oak castle, a so called tournament of the samurai, was held; the tournament was for more of an artistic bent, and only one Asahina Hiroshi participated. The festivities were cut short, when a dragon clan bushi, Mirumoto Rai was accused of murdering the damiyo, however due do clever work by Tamori Etsume Kimiko and trailing by Shiba Raiden the true killer was discovered. They continued the adventure and discovered a group of crab clan samurai,who’s weapons had been stolen by thieves operating from a geisha house, one party member in party member in particular, Hida Hiroshi Endo, knew this wrong had to be righted. with his own unique way of infiltrating the geisha house Akodo Koji helped the rest of the party enter, where they discovered a group of foreigners from the burning sands, working to steal and dishonor the crab under the orders of Doji Ryu, next in line to be Damiyo of the city. As they confronted him about it, he challenged Tamori Etsume Kimiko to a duel; the duel ended with Doji Ryu not only losing, but attempting to murder Asahina Hiroshi Doji Ryu was declared ronin, and fled the crane lands, swearing revenge on the whole party. Before departing the crane city, the party discovered a bizarre priest at the local temple, who seemed to be attuned to all five elements, and who was the uncle of Mirumoto Shinjii, the priest then prophecized “And darkness shall be reforged on the Anvil of Despair.”. After this bizarre and frightening encounter the party went south to help the crab clan participate in a legendary twenty goblin winter. There they encountered a group of tainted smugglers, who were smuggling a mysterious artifact north to dragon clan lands. There the party encountered Asahina Yajinden the cursed crane, and none other than Doji Ryu. They learned that The Bloodswords had been reforged and that soon with the Anvil of Despair even darker artifacts would be reforged. the party fought them to a standstill ending with Doji Ryu’s defeat, and his retreat. Shortly thereafter, performing magisterial duties for the empress such as escorting the corpse of a unicorn damiyo to his homeland, with help from Soshi Akima and Tamori Tamaia Yamaguchi they discovered a monk group, known as The Demon Stompers who knew what was being planned, and upon arriving at the funeral party, recognized a familiar face Mirumoto Rai who dueled a famous Shadowed Heart Duelist, over a women, then proceeded to nearly kill her. They discovered as he fled, he’d fallen victim to The Bloodswords Passion, and had fallen to the taint, becoming one of the Lost. The samurai adventured north deep into dragon lands to the monastery of The Demon Stompers. The Demon Stompers told them that the Anvil of Despair was going to be used to reforge the cursed sword of fu leng, and the only way to stop was after the first heavy winter snows, was to travel south to the resting place of the first emperor, and retrieve both the sword of fu leng, and The Sword of Hantei. As they traveled south, they recieved a letter from Matsu Jiros grandfather, a famous damiyo; That he had been grievously injured by a group of bandits, Matsu Jiro and the rest of the party went south, fought a large number of bandits, and slew all but one, the one who later wields one of The Bloodswords, Matsu Jiro returned to his grandfathers fortress, and was named his sole heir, inheriting his vast lands, and noble title. Matsu Jiro left a steward in charge and continued with the party to the tomb of hantei, where they discovered the sword of fu leng already stolen, and the sword of hantei broken with a quick rush back to the demon stompers they asked to have the sword reforged, which the demon stompers admitted would take time. The party then spent time, securing lodgings for the empresses winter court, and at the end of spring, discovering that Otomo Daichi, had betrayed the empress and had raised an army to seize the empire. The party quickly raised an army of their own, and routed the offensive force but unfortunately he escaped. The party has since retrieved the reforged sword of hantei, and begun to gather their forces for a final battle against Doji Ryu at the wall, that will decide the fate of the empire.

A blog for your campaign

While the wiki is great for organizing your campaign world, it’s not the best way to chronicle your adventures. For that purpose, you need a blog!

The Adventure Log will allow you to chronologically order the happenings of your campaign. It serves as the record of what has passed. After each gaming session, come to the Adventure Log and write up what happened. In time, it will grow into a great story!

Best of all, each Adventure Log post is also a wiki page! You can link back and forth with your wiki, characters, and so forth as you wish.

One final tip: Before you jump in and try to write up the entire history for your campaign, take a deep breath. Rather than spending days writing and getting exhausted, I would suggest writing a quick “Story So Far” with only a summary. Then, get back to gaming! Grow your Adventure Log over time, rather than all at once.